Headlines

Manitoba Moose's Scott Arniel named top coach in the AHL

WINNIPEG - Scott Arniel of the Manitoba Moose has been named the American Hockey League's outstanding coach of the year.

The 46-year-old native of Kingston, Ont., in his third season at the helm, has guided his team to the most wins in franchise history (49-22-0-6) and its second North Division championship in three years.

With three games remaining in the regular season, Manitoba's 104 points leads the Western Conference and ties it for first in the AHL with the Hershey Bears.

A former NHL forward with Winnipeg, Buffalo and Boston (1981-92), Arniel also played in the AHL and IHL from 1991 to 1999, including 1996 to 1999 with the Moose.

He was an assistant coach with Manitoba for two seasons (2000-02) and four with the Buffalo Sabres (2002-06).

His career head coaching record of 140-82-15 with the Moose and his .622 winning percentage ranks second among active AHL head coaches with at least one full season.

The Moose close out the regular season on the road against Hamilton on Wednesday, Toronto on Friday and Lake Erie in Cleveland on Saturday.

Manitoba will face the Toronto Marlies or Syracuse Crunch in the first round of the playoffs. Toronto is one point up on Syracuse for the final division playoff spot. Grand Rapids in second and Hamilton third.